Palin's Popularity Plummets

Governor Sarah Palin's shock resignation may have changed her national image, but not in the way she planned. According to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll, Palin may be moving from polarizing to outright unpopular. A majority of Americans—53 percent—view her negatively, while only 40 percent see her in positive terms, the lowest scores she has recorded since she was chosen as John McCain's running mate. Other responses weren't particularly encouraging either. 57 percent of Americans—including nearly 40 percent of Republicans—said Palin doesn't understand complex issues. 54 percent say Palin is not a strong leader, versus 40 percent who do. President Obama, by contrast, is viewed as a strong leader by 71 percent of respondents in the same poll.